Patents by Inventor Paul Howlett

Paul Howlett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11401764
    Abstract: The invention provides a swivel tool for use in a wellbore. The tool comprises a tool body and a mandrel which is axially moveable relative to the tool body. The tool also comprises a lock member moveable between a first condition in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to tool body and a second condition in which the mandrel and a tool body are rotationally coupled. The lock member is configured to move between the first condition and second condition in response to a mechanical axial force and rotational force on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Sudelac Limited
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 11401769
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for dropping at least one object into a wellbore tubular string. The tool comprises a mandrel having an inlet and an outlet. The tool also comprises a movable member comprising a bore for receiving the at least one object. The member is movable relative to the mandrel between a first condition in which the bore is not aligned with the mandrel outlet and a second condition in which the bore is aligned with the mandrel outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Sudelac Limited
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Publication number: 20200141202
    Abstract: The invention provides a swivel tool for use in a wellbore. The tool comprises a tool body and a mandrel which is axially moveable relative to the tool body. The tool also comprises a lock member moveable between a first condition in which the mandrel is rotatably movable relative to tool body and a second condition in which the mandrel and a tool body are rotationally coupled. The lock member is configured to move between the first condition and second condition in response to a mechanical axial force and rotational force on the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventor: Paul HOWLETT
  • Publication number: 20190368302
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for dropping at least one object into a wellbore tubular string. The tool comprises a mandrel having an inlet and an outlet. The tool also comprises a movable member comprising a bore for receiving the at least one object. The member is movable relative to the mandrel between a first condition in which the bore is not aligned with the mandrel outlet and a second condition in which the bore is aligned with the mandrel outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 9115546
    Abstract: An assembly and method for protecting a pipe string movable within a wellbore. A generally annular body (56) is internally dimensioned to fit around said pipe string, and an outer sleeve (62) formed from at least two part-annular sections (58,60) and rotatably located over the annular body (56). A pair of substantially annular clamping means are adapted to restrict longitudinal movement of the body (56) and outer sleeve (62) relative to the pipe string, each clamping means comprising a one-piece clamping ring (70) and a fastener (74) adapted to tighten the clamping ring (70) around the pipe string. The body (56), outer sleeve (62), and clamping rings (70) may be formed from one or more sacrificial materials that can break up and be circulated out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Tercel IP Limited
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 8661877
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing float equipment used in the construction of wellbores for the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry. The apparatus has a housing and an opening for receiving an item of float equipment. A seal arrangement is configured to seal with the item of float equipment, such that the housing and seal arrangement together define a test chamber. The test chamber is pressurized to expose at least a part of the item of float equipment in the test chamber to a test pressure. In embodiments of the invention, at least a part of an outside surface and at least a part of the item of float equipment may be simultaneously loaded. The tests performed more closely simulate the conditions to which the equipment is exposed in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sudelac Limited
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 8511392
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swivel sub for connection in a work string between a workstring and a downhole apparatus. The swivel sub includes a first substantially cylindrical body, including a sleeve portion having one or more teeth and a second substantially cylindrical body being partially located within the sleeve portion. The bodies are arranged to rotate relative to each other. The swivel sub also includes a sliding sleeve, having one or more teeth arranged mutually engage with the first teeth is axially moveable between disengaged and engaged positions, in one embodiment by a pressure differential being created in the sub. Further, the present invention provides methods for of running the tool, with particular application to setting and hanging of liners and screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tercel Oilfield Products UK Limited
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, James Bain
  • Patent number: 8342251
    Abstract: Provided is a shoe for wellbore lining tubing and to a method of locating wellbore lining tubing in a wellbore. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a shoe for wellbore tubing having an improved fluid flow diverter assembly for controlling circulation of fluid in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Tercel Oilfield Products UK Limited
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, Michael Wardley
  • Publication number: 20120285222
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for testing float equipment used in the construction of wellbores for the hydrocarbon exploration and production industry. The apparatus has a housing and an opening for receiving an item of float equipment. A seal arrangement is configured to seal with the item of float equipment, such that the housing and seal arrangement together define a test chamber. The test chamber is pressurised to expose at least a part of the item of float equipment in the test chamber to a test pressure. In embodiments of the invention, at least a part of an outside surface and at least a part of the item of float equipment may be simultaneously loaded. The tests performed more closely simulate the conditions to which the equipment is exposed in a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: SUDELAC LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Publication number: 20120234559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swivel sub for connection in a work string between a workstring and a downhole apparatus. The swivel sub includes a first substantially cylindrical body, including a sleeve portion having one or more teeth and a second substantially cylindrical body being partially located within the sleeve portion. The bodies are arranged to rotate relative to each other. The swivel sub also includes a sliding sleeve, having one or more teeth arranged mutually engage with the first teeth is axially moveable between disengaged and engaged positions, in one embodiment by a pressure differential being created in the sub. Further, the present invention provides methods for of running the tool, with particular application to setting and hanging of liners and screens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: TERCEL OILFIELD PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul HOWLETT, James BAIN
  • Patent number: 8191639
    Abstract: The present invention provides a swivel sub for connection in a work string between a workstring and a downhole apparatus. The swivel sub includes a first substantially cylindrical body, including a sleeve portion having one or more teeth and a second substantially cylindrical body being partially located within the sleeve portion. The bodies are arranged to rotate relative to each other. The swivel sub also includes a sliding sleeve, having one or more teeth arranged mutually engage with the first teeth is axially moveable between disengaged and engaged positions, in one embodiment by a pressure differential being created in the sub. Further, the present invention provides methods for of running the tool, with particular application to setting and hanging of liners and screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Tercel Oilfield Products UK Limited
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, James Bain
  • Publication number: 20120125689
    Abstract: An assembly and method for protecting a pipe string movable within a wellbore. A generally annular body (56) is internally dimensioned to fit around said pipe string, and an outer sleeve (62) formed from at least two part-annular sections (58,60) and rotatably located over the annular body (56). A pair of substantially annular clamping means are adapted to restrict longitudinal movement of the body (56) and outer sleeve (62) relative to the pipe string, each clamping means comprising a one-piece clamping ring (70) and a fastener (74) adapted to tighten the clamping ring (70) around the pipe string. The body (56), outer sleeve (62), and clamping rings (70) may be formed from one or more sacrificial materials that can break up and be circulated out of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: CALEDUS LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 7866391
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shoe for wellbore lining tubing and to a method of locating wellbore lining tubing in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a shoe (30) is disclosed which includes a tubular outer body (32) that is coupled to a wellbore lining tubing (28), and a tubular inner body (36) located within the outer body and coupled to fluid supply tubing (38). A generally annular flow area (44) is defined between the bodies which is in selective fluid communication with the well-bore (10), for the return flow of fluid from the wellbore through a flow port (62) in the outer body, along the shoe and into an annulus (46) defined between the wellbore lining tubing and the fluid supply tubing. A valve assembly (40) of the shoe has an actuating member (92) located within the inner body, and a flow controller (96) for selectively closing the flow port. A ball (98) is used to prevent further fluid flow through the inner body into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Caledus Limited
    Inventors: Michael Wardley, Paul Howlett
  • Publication number: 20100270018
    Abstract: A packer tool (10) for milling and retrieving a packer from the casing of a well bore is provided. The tool (10) comprises an upper milling portion (14), a lower attachment portion (16) at least partially located within the upper milling portion (14), and a debris retainer (28,128,228) for capturing milled cuttings within the tool (10). A method of milling and retrieving a packer using the tool is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Howlett
  • Patent number: 7686089
    Abstract: Apparatus, such as a liner, adapted to be hung in a downhole tubular such as casing is described. The apparatus includes one or more circumferentially distributed abrasive portions, arranged to be movable radially outwards by a dimple former or an expander. In an embodiment, the abrasive portions are provided on disks moveable in recesses in the outer diameter of the apparatus being hung. In an embodiment, the apparatus is hung by operating a dimple former provided on the running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Caledus Limited
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, Michael Wardley, Graeme Marr
  • Publication number: 20100065281
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shoe for wellbore lining tubing and to a method of locating wellbore lining tubing in a wellbore. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a shoe for wellbore lining tubing having an improved fluid flow diverter assembly for controlling circulation of fluid in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, Michael Wardley
  • Publication number: 20080236841
    Abstract: A swivel sub for connection in a work string between a workstring and a downhole apparatus is disclosed. The sub has a first substantially cylindrical body, including a sleeve portion having one or more teeth and a second substantially cylindrical body being partially located within the sleeve portion. The bodies are arranged to rotate relative to each other. A sliding sleeve, having one or more teeth arranged mutually engage with the first teeth is axially moveable between disengaged and engaged positions, in one embodiment by a pressure differential being created in the sub. Methods of running the tool are described, with particular application to setting and hanging of liners and screens. The invention also offers advantages for drilling applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: CALEDUS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, James Bain
  • Publication number: 20080196903
    Abstract: This invention relates to a shoe for wellbore lining tubing and to a method of locating wellbore lining tubing in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a shoe (30) is disclosed which includes a tubular outer body (32) that is coupled to a wellbore lining tubing (28), and a tubular inner body (36) located within the outer body and coupled to fluid supply tubing (38). A generally annular flow area (44) is defined between the bodies which is in selective fluid communication with the well-bore (10), for the return flow of fluid from the wellbore through a flow port (62) in the outer body, along the shoe and into an annulus (46) defined between the wellbore lining tubing and the fluid supply tubing. A valve assembly (40) of the shoe has an actuating member (92) located within the inner body, and a flow controller (96) for selectively closing the flow port. A ball (98) is used to prevent further fluid flow through the inner body into the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: CALEDUS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Wardley, Paul Howlett
  • Publication number: 20080110641
    Abstract: Apparatus, such as a liner, adapted to be hung in a downhole tubular such as casing is described. The apparatus includes one or more circumferentially distributed abrasive portions, arranged to be movable radially outwards by a dimple former or an expander. In an embodiment, the abrasive portions are provided on disks moveable in recesses in the outer diameter of the apparatus being hung. In an embodiment, the apparatus is hung by operating a dimple former provided on the running tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Howlett, Michael Wardley, Graeme Marr
  • Publication number: 20080060815
    Abstract: A wellhead seal unit for sealing a subsea oil and/or gas well at the wellhead. The unit comprises a sleeve, sealingly engaged to the workstring and to which, blow out preventer rams can engage. The unit allows the workstring to be rotated and reciprocated within the wellbore without releasing the seal. Methods of cleaning the sealed well and performing an inflow test are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Howlett